WhatsApp Adds Clarification to its New Privacy Policy

There is a worldwide movement happening against the favor of WhatsApp after the messaging app began sending out prompts to its users to agree to its new privacy policy. People all over are now urging to become decentralised and use more privacy focused apps like Telegram and Signal.

In an attempt to curb the movement, WhatsApp added some clarifications on its website regarding the change to its privacy policy.

Some large businesses need to use hosting services to manage their communication. Which is why we’re giving businesses the option to use secure hosting services from Facebook to manage WhatsApp chats with their customers, answer questions, and send helpful information like purchase receipts. But whether you communicate with a business by phone, email, or WhatsApp, it can see what you’re saying and may use that information for its own marketing purposes, which may include advertising on Facebook.
WhatsApp FAQ – Answering your questions about WhatsApp’s Privacy Policy

If you use or chat with WhatsApp Business accounts, your activity could potentially be used to personalize the advertisements that are shown to you across Facebook and Instagram. Facebook could also choose a different way of interacting with advertisements like a button to message a business using WhatsApp.

“If you choose to interact with Shops, your shopping activity can be used to personalize your Shops experience..”

WhatsApp also says that users that choose to interact with Shops – the new commerce feature across Facebook group of apps – will lead to ads across Facebook and Instagram. However, the company further clarifies that such features are optional and they will let you know when your information is shared.

Nevertheless, it is high time Facebook and other tech giants rebuild their business models so as to remove their reliance on targeted ads. People are now becoming more concerned than ever regarding their online privacy and its high time companies acknowledge it in an appropriate manner.

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Karthik Mudaliar

Karthik Mudaliar is a Computer Science student, who loves to write about science and technology. In his free time, you will find him reading finance books or scrolling Twitter. Feel free to contact him on any of the social media below or email him at karthikmudaliar@onetechstop.net